A Queens man arrested earlier this month for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl inside a church may have sexually abused other victims, police said Saturday.
Queens Special Victims Squad detectives arrested Angel Ramos, 23, of 34th Road on May 2 on multiple counts of second-degree rape, along with additional charges of aggravated sexual abuse, forcible touching, endangering the welfare of child, and sexual abuse.
Police said Ramos allegedly raped the 14-year-old female victim multiple times within the confines of the 115th Precinct.
The criminal complaint, provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, notes that the incidents happened inside Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church at 25-02 80th St. in East Elmhurst.
John Quaglione, a Diocese of Brooklyn spokesperson, said that Ramos had been a part-time worker at Our Lady of Fatima for nearly two years, working in the rectory and helping to coordinate the altar server program.
In February of this year, prosecutors said, Ramos allegedly kissed and groped the young victim, then forced her to perform oral sex on him. He allegedly attacked the girl twice more in a similar fashion at the church on March 27 and April 16.
During the April 16 incident, the criminal complaint noted, Ramos allegedly escalated the heinous abuse by digitally molesting the girl, causing her pain and bleeding. Three days later, on April 19, he allegedly kissed the victim on the mouth without her consent.
Quaglione said the girl’s parents reported the incidents to the church’s pastor on April 21, “which was immediately reported to law enforcement officials.” Ramos was subsequently suspended without pay and barred from access to parish facilities.
“The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Safe Environment Office and the Victim Assistance Coordinator led a safety discussion with the altar servers and notified their parents of his arrest,” Quaglione said in a May 10 statement. “The Diocese of Brooklyn is committed to ensuring the safety of all children and youth. Anyone who needs to report an instance of abuse is asked to call the Diocesan Reporting Line at 888-634-4499.”
According to court records, Ramos was released on $50,000 bail following his May 2 arrest. He is due back in Queens Criminal Court on July 24.
In the meantime, the NYPD is urging anyone who may have been sexually abused by the suspect to contact them as they look to build their criminal case.
Victims are urged to call the NYPD Sex Crimes Hotline at 212-267-RAPE (7273) or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). Information can also be submitted online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips.
All calls and messages are kept confidential.
This story was updated at 6:40 p.m. on May 10 with comments from the Diocese of Brooklyn
